Everything changes with time – but we often overlook these changes because we’re too busy with living. Heck, we even fail to notice that we’re also changing. While photography allows us to capture a certain moment in time, a single picture alone sometimes isn’t enough to provide a visual comparison of how that certain moment have changed over the years. Good thing there’s a photography technique called rephotography. This process involves capturing the same imagery at two different moments in time to show change.
Initially used for surveying and scientific studies, rephotography technique is now being used to generate ‘then-and-now’ photos of places, buildings, natural landscapes, urban scenes, and even people. Today, computationally-assisted digital rephotography provides an easier and more fun way to process these ‘then-and-now’ photos. The re.photos website, for example, helps people to create and publish ‘before-and-after’ picture pair with an animated transition.
Then-And-Now Photos Showing The Unstoppable Force Of Time
“Heidelberg, Herkulesbrunnen (1945 & 2021)”
Heidelberg, Herkulesbrunnen (1945 & 2021)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/6006/American soldiers in the center of Heidelberg’s old town in 1945.
On March 30, the American troops of the 63rd Infantry Division of the 7th US Army marched in without encountering significant resistance. They were able to take over many buildings in the city for their purposes, including the Großdeutschland-Kaserne, which has been called Campbell Barracks ever since.© insidehistoricalphotos
Posted by re.photos on Saturday, October 30, 2021
In order to produce a seamless transition for best comparison, you’ll need to approximate the original location and camera angle to capture the exact image from the original. Upload the photos on the website and specify the time the pictures were taken and the exact location. The website will then generate the ‘then-and-now’ pics with a smooth swiping transition showing the exact same scene at different points in time.
“Atlanta, Ebenezer Baptist Church (1968 & 2021)”
Atlanta, Ebenezer Baptist Church (1968 & 2021)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5963/
Original photo taken on April 9, 1968 as the funeral procession of Martin Luther King began.Credits: jacobstauff
Posted by re.photos on Wednesday, September 22, 2021
“Stuttgart, Schloßstraße/Bolzstraße (1915 & 2021)”
Stuttgart, Schloßstraße/Bolzstraße (1915 & 2021)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5777/
Bolzstrasse is only 330 meters long and runs in downtown Stuttgart from Schlossplatz to Friedrichstrasse. The street is named after Eugen Bolz (1881-1945), a resistance fighter against the Nazi regime who was executed in January 1945.
In the past, today’s Bolzstrasse was called Schlossstrasse. It was an extension of the Schlossstrasse, which still runs in S-Mitte and S-West today. Stuttgart’s first main train station was also located on this part of Schlossstrasse.
Credits: Moodinia
Posted by re.photos on Sunday, May 2, 2021
“Bruxelles-Luxembourg station (1900 & 2017)”
Bruxelles-Luxembourg station (1900 & 2017)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5645/
Built in 1846, the old building of the Brussels-Luxembourg station witnessed the construction of European institutions around it, in particular with the creation of the Léopold space in 1990. The same year, the building of the The original station was classified, allowing its blue stone facade to dominate the square even today. The esplanade between Luxembourg station and the European Parliament has become, in five years, the third most popular tourist attraction in Brussels.
Posted by re.photos on Friday, March 26, 2021
We’ve picked out the best ‘then-and-now’ photos from the company’s official Facebook page to prove the unbeatable force of time.
“Grote markt Nijmegen (1935 & 2020)”
Grote markt Nijmegen (1935 & 2020)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5595/The ‘Grote Markt’ in the center of Nijmegen in 1935 and 2021. Buildings on the left were the only ones that survived World War 2 at this location. After the war, the road was rebuild in a broadened manner to give space to automobiles. In 2021 however, this part is a pedestrian street.
Credits: marcmaliepaard (https://www.instagram.com/nijmegenthenandnow/)
Posted by re.photos on Saturday, January 16, 2021
“Saint-Brieuc – Rue Fardel (1910 & 2020)”
Saint-Brieuc – Rue Fardel (1910 & 2020)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5542/
Rue Fardel with its half-timbered houses, which are among the oldest in Saint-Brieuc, is one of the city’s main tourist spots. Before the Revolution, rue Fardel was one of the city’s most populated and commercial streets. Many families of the bourgeoisie and the nobility had their residence there. It also welcomed a population of artisans, merchants and workers.
From the end of the 19th century, the peak of the demolishers scattered the ranks of these ancient residences. The beautiful old houses of the 14th and 15th centuries which bordered it, left abandoned, soon fell into ruins. It was not until the 1960s that heritage defenders saved the last remains of old Saint-Brieuc from an announced demolition. Since the 1970s, the historic district has undergone a happy requalification and some half-timbered houses have regained their colors of yesteryear: blue, yellow, red … Since that time, the historic center has been popular with tourists who immortalize the facades of the old quarter or take advantage of the terraces of cafes and restaurants.Credits: IciJako
Posted by re.photos on Monday, December 28, 2020
“Great Flood at the Assemblée Nationale, Paris (1910 & 2020)”
Great Flood at the Assemblée Nationale, Paris (1910 & 2020)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5348/
In January 1910, large parts of Paris became flooded by the Seine. The French National Assembly, which has its seat in the “Palais Bourbon” close to the Seine, was no exception. The MPs had to reach parliament by boats and makeshift jetties. There were heated discussions about whether Parliament sessions should continue or pause. Eventually the flood receded and life could return to normality.
Paris is still threatened by a potential flood today. The last flood happened in June 2016, although it did not come close to the one of then.Credits: Nicolai Wolpert
Posted by re.photos on Sunday, December 6, 2020
“St. Albert Church in Warsaw (1865 & 2010)”
St. Albert Church in Warsaw (1865 & 2010)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5431/During the Warsaw Uprising, a rebel hospital was organized in the church. After the war, services took place in the damaged building until 1953, when the authorities decided to demolish the temple. A residential block was partly built in its place. In 1999 the church was rebuilt, incl. from the funds of Bank Rozwoju Eksportu, the creative circles and the editorial staff of the newspaper “Rzeczpospolita”.
Credits: Bera Bork, fotopolska.euPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, November 11, 2020
“Rue du Luxembourg, Brussels (~1910 & 2020)”
Rue du Luxembourg, Brussels (~1910 & 2020)
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5193/The Luxemburg street connects the Place du Trône to the Place du Luxembourg, in the Léopold district of Brussels. In the background stand the former main building of the Brussels-Luxemburg train station, built in 1854 by architect Gustave Saintenoy, as well as the seat of the European parliament.
Credits: ThomasSchlesserPosted by re.photos on Saturday, October 24, 2020
“Selcuk Fortress, Turkey (1870 & 2020)”
Selçuk Fortress, Turkey (1870 & 2020):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/5377/The inner fortress situated on the highest point of the hill to the north of the St John’s Church superposes the very first settlement of Ephesus as the recent research has revealed. The walls which are seen today belong to the Byzantine, Ottoman and Ayd?no?ullar? periods. Built with stones, bricks and mortar, the walls are reinforced by 15 towers.
Credits: unknown / SarmuS
Posted by re.photos on Sunday, October 11, 2020
“Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Teplice, ~1870 & 2019”
Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Teplice
#Rephotography of the Day: Church of St. Elizabeth of Hungary, Teplice, ~1870 & 2019
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4882/The church was built in 1864–1877 according to the plans of Heinrich Ferstel of Vienna in neo-Gothic style. The duration of construction was due to the fact that the construction, apart from the land, was financed by donations and proceeds from the collections; moreover, it had to be suspended during the Prussian-Austrian War (during the war, soldiers were housed here).
Credits: unknown / Bix
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, December 11, 2019
“Lauenstein, ~1915 & 2019”
#Rephotography of the Day: Lauenstein, ~1915 & 2019
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4854/Lauenstein Square with a fountain decorated with a falconer motif and a gate leading to Lauenstein Castle, which also includes the ruins of Lauenstein Castle.
Credits: unknown / Bix
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Monday, December 9, 2019
“Rippingstraat Alkmaar (1976 & 2019)”
#Rephotography of the Day: Rippingstraat Alkmaar (1976 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4869/Credits: unknown / Regionaal Archief Alkmaar
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, December 4, 2019
“Black Hills 1874 and 2004”
www.re.photos | Custer’s army invading the Black Hills
#Rephotography of the Day: #Custer’s army exploring the #BlackHills in 1874:
https://www.re.photos/de/compilation/4864/William Illingworth’s famous “String of Pearls” photo of George Custer’s army invading the Black Hills in 1874. All those little white dots on the historical image are horse drawn wagons moving in a seemingly endless line. Custer’s mission was to look for suitable locations for a fort, find a route to the southwest, and to investigate the possibility of gold mining.
Credits: William #Illingworth / robertwellmancampbell
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfter #BlackHillsExpedition #SiouxWarsPosted by re.photos on Friday, November 29, 2019
“Doubravka Castle (1919 & 2019)”
#Rephotography of the Day: Doubravka Castle (1919 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4859/The castle of Doubravka was built in 1483 on the top of the Doubravská hora Mountain in Teplice. It played an important role during the Thirty Years War, when the strategic importance of the castle increased the proximity of the land border. Conquered by the Swedish army, it was ordered to demolish after their expulsion, so that the castle could not become a refuge of the enemy again. In the 19th century, the ruins became a destination for spa guests and a small restaurant and later an annex in the New England style were built.
Credits: unknown / Bix
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, November 27, 2019
“Salzburg (1959 & 2019)”
#Rephotography of the Day: Salzburg (1959 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4856/View over the city of #Salzburg during the late 1950s, taken from the castle Hohensalzburg.
Credits: unknown / h3px1
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Monday, November 25, 2019
“Old Shop near Chau’s Building in Hong Kong (1960 & 2019)”
www.re.photos | Chau’s Building
#Rephotography of the Day: Old Shop near Chau’s Building in #HongKong (1960 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/de/compilation/4773/A old shopping mall was converted to an office building but still kept the exteriour in the original shape.
Credits: Peter / Peter
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, November 20, 2019
“Tower Bridge in London during WW2 air raids (1940 & 2019)”
#Rephotography of the Day: Tower Bridge in #London during WW2 air raids (1940 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4826/Smoke rises from the docks behind Tower Bridge during the first mass bombing of London on September 7, 1940. The “Blitz” campaign was carried out by the Luftwaffe (German Air Force) from September 1940 until May 1941, intended to force the British government to capitulation. Around 43.000 civilians fell victim to the attacks, and the city was severly damaged. However, neither did the British government accept negotiations nor did the raids significantly decrease the British war production.
Credits: Unknown / Nicolai Wolpert
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Saturday, November 16, 2019
“Arc de Triomphe de l’Etoile (1919 & 2018)”
www.re.photos | Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile
#Rephotography of the Day: Arc de #Triomphe de l’Étoile (1919 & 2018):
https://www.re.photos/de/compilation/4814/The Arc de Triomphe de l’Étoile is one of the most famous monuments in Paris, standing at the western end of the Champs-Élysées. Luckily, the tanks have been replaced by cars nowadays!
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfter
Credits: Unknown / TheGuardianPosted by re.photos on Wednesday, November 13, 2019
“Weighing house of Posen (1955 & 2019)”
www.re.photos | Weighing house of Posen
#Rephotography of the Day: Weighing house of #Posen (1955 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/de/compilation/4333/The old image shows the construction of the weigh house in Posen which is a public building at or within which goods are weighed. Weigh houses were especially common in the Netherlands, Germany and #Poland (#WagaMiejska, “town/city scales”, as in Cracow and Posen). Outside these countries the public weighing usually didn’t take place in a special building, but in a town hall, guild hall, courthouse, or the like.
Credits: Mogens Tørsleff / Stary Pozna?, Tomasz Hejna Stary Pozna? Tomasz Hejna LAGOMphoto
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Saturday, October 19, 2019
“Riddarholmen, Stockholm (1931 & 2019)”
#Rephotography of the Day: Riddarholmen, Stockholm (1931 & 2019):
https://www.re.photos/en/compilation/4688/The islet of Riddarholmen in Stockholm photographed in 1931 and 2019.
The artificial islet in front is a bathhouse. It was closed because of the poor water quality and sewage, and finally demolished in 1936. The photo is taken from the other side of the Riddarfjärden, from the Stadshuset, the City Town Hall towards Gamla Stan, the old city centre.Credits: Kurt Hielscher / Ilse Willems / Casper Molenaar
#NowAndThen #BeforeAndAfterPosted by re.photos on Friday, October 4, 2019
Source: Facebook Feature Image Source: Wiki